Physical Contact Is Weird

*As the party gets together to confront Sakri and discuss the whodunnit, Hildreth sits uncomfortably near the back, unable to pry his hand away from Xylund, thinking about the predicament. *
 
Well this is awkward. Not only are we stuck here, but everyone is suspicious and can't be trusted. There's a murder we are trying to solve and our biggest lead seems to be this Fey woman who many call a terrible beast. Well, compared to what I consider a terrible beast, she doesn't match the description at all. The last few Terrible Beasts I've come across have been hulking things with no face, are decomposing, have multiple limbs, drool acid, are painted in the dried blood of their victims, and howl terrible chants to the powers of darkness. Sakri seems none of these things. Suspicious and dangerous, for sure, but not a Terrible Beast.
 
*Hildreth tries to pull his hand away, unable to do so as Xylund has a still strong grip on him. Sighing, Hildreth pays attention a bit longer as the party debates more.*
 
Still, something is not right. Someone is lying terribly, and my belief is that the young sailor named Vail is the most suspicious. Something about how he gave Sakri the sandwich meant for the captain, that he and Sakri then shared, they both fell asleep, and then Vail had her chained up for stealing the sandwich. I can't put all of the puzzle pieces together yet, but this smells like a trap.
 
*As the party begins to head toward the hold, Hildreth manages to slide his hand away from Xylund, rubbing his hand a bit and finding it difficult to look in the direction of his charge.*
 
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*As the party is in the hold, looking around not so gingerly, Hildreth throws himself into the search while keeping close to Sakri, making certain she doesn't seem to pull anything suspicious.*
 
I think I underestimated life on the sea. I was handling things well, but recently, I've been feeling a bit woozy. It's a good thing that the party has so many healers to take care of me if I do become ill. It wouldn't do to become sick in the middle of a search, murder investigation, and keeping my eye on our prisoner.
 
*Hildreth looks up at Sakri as she pulls a fancy looking rapier out of a box, smiling and looking pleased. Sure that she isn't up to anything devious he continues his search.*
 
Is this what this group does? I know they have been helping save a kingdom and have their own reasons for doing what they do, but to stop and help a ship for no reason than just kindness? My experience with people lead me to believe that, more than ever, this group is made of actual, well being heroes. Why else would they stop and take care of a murder investigation on the high seas where they have no reason to get involved?
 
*As the party begins to look over boots and Sakri complains about her boots missing, Hildreth imagines what she would look like if she had all of her missing gear together, begins to feel worse, and looks away. Unfortunately, the talk quickly turned to Vail not seeking medical attention only makes things worse. prompting Hildreth to lean against a bulkhead and watch from a distance, the familiarity of which finally helping.*
 
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*The party splits up between searching the crew quarters and going to the mess hall to interrogate the crew. As everyone decides on where to go, Hildreth feels that illness again, but then speaks up to attend Sakri alone in the Hold and continue searching while the party is conducting the investigation.*
 
That was strange. Why did I suggest this course of action? I challenged Kern's plan of action and followed my own. That seems foolish, especially after everyone seemed to confirm he was in charge around here. Even more so that my plan involved being alone with someone who is obviously a criminal, possibly dangerous, and doesn't have our best interests in mind. Why did I volunteer for this again? Well, I am the most suited to watching over this particular prisoner. Also, I need to remember I am NOT one of them. They may have made Kern their leader, but leader or no, he's also under watch. Actually, that is important information that should be relayed to my masters. Now that they have an official leader, that could sway the rest of them in ways my masters could use, if that is their wish.
 
~ * ~ * ~
 
*With Eldrin caught and the mystery wrapped up, the party is asked to stay another day to celebrate the catch, have a funeral for the captain, and to give thanks to the party. Eldrin is put into the Hold as a cell, Vail takes over the ship as the next captain leading to port, and as the party celebrates, feasts, and rests, Hildreth can only think of one thing.
 
He wished that Sakri would have held his hand.*